What's On

Apley’s Christmas Food Fair (25th November 2015)

A farm shop near Bridgnorth is holding its annual Christmas Food Fair this Saturday (28 Nov) including an impressive schedule of free cookery demonstrations (10-4pm). Amongst those on the stage will be award-winning Thai chef, Suree Coates of the King & Thai in Broseley, who won the Midlands Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year 2015.

Lady Hamilton, Marketing Manager, has been busy preparing the Farm Shop’s Christmas decorations: “I love changing the decorations every year, using new & different ideas which I gather throughout the year, keeping it a surprise for as long as possible. The Shop’s building looks stunning at Christmas with unique, glittery angels trumpeting from the beams !”

Tasters from 20 producers

Over 20 local producers will be in a marquee, offering customers delicious free tasters of their artisanal food & drinks produced in & around Shropshire. Amongst them will be Addisons wines, Peter's Yard, Patchwork pate, Oak Apple Catering, Macneil Smoke House, Bakers & Cooks & the Hop & Stagger Brewery who now have a range of 4 beers made just across the fields from Apley Farm Shop.

In the farm shop

There will of course be free samples of our own Apley products including meats (don't miss those award-winning sausages I wrote about yesterday), Julie's amazing Christmas puddings, mince pies & Christmas cakes. The Apley delicatessen counter boasts a wide range of local, national & some international cheeses as well as cold meats, quiches, pies, ready-made meals & olives. Apley Christmas veg boxes are available in 2 sizes. The Apley butcher has all your Christmas meats - goose, turkey & hams – order forms are available in the shop. Saturday’s Food Fair is a great chance to try before you buy/order.

Christmas in the Café

With a new Christmas menu each week to choose from, whilst onsite, why not catch our cafe manager Zoe & book your Christmas party in the Creamery Café, just drop in for a Festive Afternoon Tea or bring children & grandchildren for a Breakfast or Tea with a visit from Santa (booking is required). This year’s Santa’s Grotto will be prettier than ever & have an onsite photographer (booking not necessary).

Courtyard shopping

If you’re still stuck for present ideas, choose from our wide range of very popular bespoke or readymade Christmas hampers in the farm shop itself. Apley Farm Shop IS gorgeous Courtyard Shopping - Big Little Things (florists & gifts) have a beautiful range (I'll share some of their photos tomorrow), as does Lottie's [fashion & homewares]. A voucher for pampering treatments or skin creams from Annie's Reiki Centre make perfect presents for parents whilst children can post their letters to Father Christmas in the jam-packed Alley Katz Toy Shop. Scotty's Animal Park is now closed for the winter & the Apley Plant Centre hibernates on 30 Nov until February.

Charity collection

During the week 11-18 Dec, our staff will be participating in Save the Children Fund's campaign, "Make the World Better with a Sweater" (Christmas Jumper Day). They'll wear fun & festive jumpers & we'll have collecting boxes on our cash tills.

Craft Fair

On Sunday, The Apley Christmas Craft Fair will be held in the courtyard of Apley Farm Shop, 10-4pm.